I have a family history of clotting disorders. Should I be worried about blood clots with COVID-19?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 35-year-old male. My height is 175 cm, and my weight is 74 kg. I tested positive for COVID-19 today. My resting heart rate is 100 beats per minute, and I am fine without scary symptoms. My father died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 33, and my three siblings have had problems with blood clots.

I did a thrombophilia panel test earlier this year, and it did not detect any significant blood disorders. I am worried about clots and COVID-19. Should I take the tablet Xarelto prescribed by my hematologist for an appendectomy that I had last year?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Usually, I would not recommend any patient with COVID-19 take the tablet Rivaroxaban unless they have developed shortness of breath or any other clots. But since you have a family history of blood disorders and you are currently suffering from COVID-19, I recommend taking Rivaroxaban. You should take this for 14 days and then stop if you remain stable. However, considering your age, I highly doubt that you will have a clotting problem. But nothing to worry about, you will be completely fine. Wish you good health.

Hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.